Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 193

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 193

Episode 193. Conclusion of the Auction (2)

* * *

Dawn was breaking.

The sky over Dawnguard was still gray. It had always been a city shrouded in mist, but today the density was particularly thick.

The lingering aftermath of the night’s carnage had seeped into the very atmosphere.

Normally, this time of day should have been quiet. The residents of the dark city only began roaming the streets after the sun rose high in the sky.

But today was different.

The sound of loading corpses onto carts. The sound of dragging heavy objects. And the occasional conversations that could be heard.

Middle Temple investigators in ash-gray robes and Ruin Guild employees were busily moving about, collecting the bodies.

“….”

Thud, thud-.

I walked alongside Adelia, taking in the scene.

Just then.

I suddenly felt gazes watching me from somewhere.

Through window cracks, or behind half-open doors. Someone’s eyes would flash by, only to quickly disappear the moment I turned my head.

Click-.

The sound of a window hastily closing could be heard.

Actually, it was a natural reaction.

While the Ruin Guild’s VIPs and auction attendees had some grasp of the situation, for Dawnguard residents without information, this current situation would be nothing short of pure terror.

Overnight, thousands of corpses had covered the city, and mysterious gray-robed groups and Ruin Guild employees had been wandering the streets all night.

‘It’s no wonder the entire city is on guard and holding its breath.’

Curtains drawn over every window and tightly shut doors. Dawnguard, already gloomy to begin with, was as quiet as a ghost town today.

‘But….’

Even so, this city would greet the same morning as always.

Well, Dawnguard was that kind of place.

A place where countless crimes and murders occurred as part of daily life. Today’s carnage was just one of the many shadows this city had swallowed.

In just a few days, people would come back out to the streets to haggle, and laughter and curses would mix in every tavern.

As if nothing had happened, ordinary daily life would flow on again.

After all, only those who could heal their wounds faster than anyone else and survive could live in this ruthless city.

* * *

Whoosh, whoooosh-!

Inside Puppet Master Batu’s hideout, a quiet memorial service was taking place.

Adelia was kneeling, purifying the corpses with sacred fire. With reverent and calm hand movements.

She closed her eyes and offered silent prayers.

Sikan Bauer was watching Adelia from a short distance away.

“I’ll help you, Miss.”

“No. It’s fine. This kind of work is something I should do.”

It was a stubborn answer as always. Adelia steadfastly continued her work.

“You’ve become… quite skilled at this.”

“That’s right. I’ve gotten used to it after doing it several times.”

Whoosh-.

Along with Adelia’s calm response, another blue-green sacred flame rose up.

A few months ago, I had witnessed the same scene at Camillo von Taribas’s corpse exhibition.

Even then, Adelia had performed the memorial service with this same reverent posture. For the innocent victims sacrificed by Camillo.

And even then.

Gaon had silently watched the entire process, just like now.

“….”

Sikan Bauer’s gaze naturally turned toward Gaon. Gaon’s profile revealed in the flickering light of the blue sacred fire was simply serene.

About three months.

He recalled the things Gaon had accomplished in that short time.

Not content with defeating Camillo von Taribas, he had subdued Dorico Shiro, and now had even eliminated Puppet Master Batu.

The monsters that had plunged the entire continent into terror were falling one by one at his hands.

‘But.’

That was only a small part of Gaon’s achievements.

Wintershield Magic Academy and the Shadow Sect. Even the Ruin Guild. Forces that would have trembled and resisted just from Middle Temple’s involvement were now cooperating obediently.

Forces that had moved according to their own interests were now looking in the same direction. Centered around the single focal point that was Gaon.

‘A great undertaking that Middle Temple couldn’t accomplish in hundreds of years, achieved in just a few months….’

Gulp-.

Sikan Bauer unconsciously swallowed.

It was overwhelming. No, even the word overwhelming was insufficient. The existence of Sword Master Gaon was itself a ‘phenomenon.’

Wherever he passed, change inevitably occurred, and that change always headed in a good direction. Eliminating evil, saving the innocent, and correcting the world’s balance.

Pause-.

Just then, Sikan Bauer and Gaon’s eyes met.

Sikan Bauer showed signs of hesitation. He seemed to have something he wanted to ask, but couldn’t readily open his mouth.

“Do you have something to say.”

It was an indifferent voice. More of a confirmation than a question. Sikan Bauer hesitated for a moment, then carefully nodded.

“If it’s not presumptuous… there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Speak.”

Gaon’s concise answer fell.

Sikan briefly looked around. Inside Batu’s hideout, corpses that hadn’t finished their memorial service were still scattered about.

They were the remains of puppets the puppet master had controlled.

Outside the city, there were far more corpses than this.

An enormous number reaching thousands.

Yet for some reason, most of the corpses were in remarkably intact condition.

A few had cuts or stab wounds as if caught up in battle, but the rest were simply lying there.

Recalling that scene, Sikan Bauer asked with a genuinely curious expression.

“The thousands of puppets, how exactly did you eliminate them?”

“….”

“There were no traces of magic, and it didn’t seem like you cut them all down with a sword either….”

At first, he thought it might have been by eliminating Puppet Master Batu to sever the link. If the controller disappeared, the puppets would naturally stop.

But according to others’ testimonies, the order was reversed. Gaon had first wiped out the puppets before going to eliminate the puppet master.

‘Then what method could he have possibly used…?’

While Sikan Bauer was having such thoughts, Gaon gave his answer in a calm voice.

“Even if I explained, it would be difficult to understand.”

“…Ah.”

Sikan Bauer let out a small sigh.

It was somewhat disappointing, but Gaon’s answer was perfectly understandable. There was a huge wall between himself and the Sword Master.

As long as that gap existed, no matter how detailed an explanation he received, fundamental understanding would be impossible. It was wiser to accept that difference.

“However.”

Then, Gaon spoke again. His gaze was fixed on Adelia, who was continuing her memorial service with devotion.

“Adelia understood everything.”

“…!”

“Character, talent, and even mindset. She possesses all the qualities to become a Sword Master.”

At that high praise, Sikan Bauer looked at Adelia with renewed attention. It was clear at a glance that these weren’t mere empty words.

Just three months ago, Adelia had been one step below him, but now she had grown to a degree where comparison was meaningless.

No.

She was even emanating a stronger aura than Arwen, who was called the fortress of Middle Temple.

Of course, Sikan Bauer knew.

No matter how exceptional Adelia’s talent was, her current achievement was something she could never have accomplished alone.

It was ultimately Gaon who had awakened that power. A genius who had met a one-of-a-kind master had finally bloomed.

“Anyway.”

It was while he was having such thoughts.

Sword Master Gaon changed the subject.

“Tell me more details about the Saintess’s oracle.”

* * *

When we finished the memorial service and came out of Batu’s hideout, the sun was already high in the sky.

My entire body felt as heavy as lead.

I couldn’t let my guard down throughout defeating Puppet Master Batu and then conversing with the apostles of the Evil Deities.

The aftermath of pushing my authorities to their limits was also considerable.

My head was throbbing, and my vision was swaying. A fatigue that made me feel like I could collapse at any moment pressed down on my entire body.

For now, I left the cleanup to Sikan Bauer. As the investigation leader of Middle Temple, he would handle it well.

‘I’m supposed to meet with Ruined Guild Master Karayan this afternoon…’

Until then, I needed to rest and organize my thoughts.

Thud, thud-.

As I was returning to the hotel with Adelia, the contents of the oracle that Sikan Bauer had conveyed kept circling in my mind.

The revelation to guide the thirteenth Sword Master to the Holy City. And the warning that The Third Entity had begun to set foot on this land.

That entity’s footsteps were said to be the prelude to destruction and the prologue to coming disaster. Only my sword was the answer that could save everything.

‘The Third Entity…’

Various speculations swirled chaotically through my mind.

The third Possessed One. The third apostle. I couldn’t know exactly which one it was referring to. It might be something completely different.

‘…I need to hurry to the Holy City and have a direct conversation.’

I was already planning to go to Middle Temple, but now the necessity had become even more urgent. There must be a good reason why the Elders wanted to meet with me.

While walking with such thoughts, we had arrived in front of our room before I knew it.

Creak-.

When I opened the door and entered, an unexpected person greeted me.

“Ah… The Protagonist…”

“…?”

It was Isaac Beriloff.

Sitting in front of a small table and scribbling something, his appearance was utterly haggard.

Dark circles had come down blackly under his eyes, and his hair was disheveled and messy. He looked like an undead.

“Where did the others go?”

I asked while looking around. The other members of the Wintershield delegation were nowhere to be seen.

“They’re sleeping in their rooms.”

Isaac answered without even stopping the hand holding his pen.

“Why aren’t you resting?”

“That’s… because of work Professor Biyolf assigned me…”

Isaac’s voice was clearly exhausted. His shoulders were drooping, and his eyelids kept closing heavily.

Suddenly, a story from inside the game came to mind.

A side quest that takes place at Wintershield Magic Academy.

An incident where Professor Biyolf’s research lab gets terrorized.

The main content was tracking down the culprit… and the mastermind revealed was none other than an overworked new graduate student.

『Why did I commit terrorism? There’s too much work! Does he think I only help with his papers!』

At this rate, Isaac Beriloff might turn into that culprit.

“Go in and rest.”

“I, I can’t do that. The professor told me to finish it today…”

“I’ll take responsibility, so just rest.”

“…”

Isaac hesitated for a moment, then collapsed face-down on the desk.

Thud-.

The gentle snoring sound that immediately followed. He seemed to have completely passed out.

“You rest too, Adelia.”

“Thank you.”

Adelia nodded and headed to her room. She also looked clearly exhausted.

“Then I’ll see you later, The Protagonist.”

“Yeah.”

After exchanging light greetings with Adelia, I entered my room.

Creak-.

As soon as I opened the door, what caught my eye was Strawberry Latte leaning against the bed.

Her disheveled pink curly hair. The one who had been dozing off greeted me as soon as she saw me.

“Ah… you’re back…”

“Why aren’t you sleeping either?”

“I was waiting… to do that thing together…”

Strawberry Latte answered like that and took something out from her bosom.

[Myu, myumyum!]

Mukyoo, who had been sleeping soundly on the bed, woke up with a start.

A mysterious light mixed with blue and silver covered the room.

Crackle, crackle-!

A fist-sized crystal.

Inside it, small lightning bolts were constantly flashing and dancing with life.

…It was the Celestial Dragon’s brain core.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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